Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Samuel 4:6-8 (New Living Translation)

6 “What’s going on?” the Philistines asked. “What’s all the shouting about in the Hebrew camp?” When they were told it was because the Ark of the Lord had arrived, 7 they panicked. “The gods have come into their camp!” they cried. “This is a disaster! We have never had to face anything like this before! 8 Help! Who can save us from these mighty gods of Israel? They are the same gods who destroyed the Egyptians with plagues when Israel was in the wilderness.

The Philistines are preparing for battle against the Israelites. The Philistines hear that the Ark of the Covenant has arrived in the Hebrew camp.

This is a disaster!

The Philistines recalled the time in the desert, the Ark, the plagues in Egypt, and other events. Those events occurred hundreds of years earlier. The Philistines knew the details of events that occurred centuries earlier. What do I know of events in the 1700s? Little. Yet, the fame of the Lord Jehovah and how He worked with His people was well known.

The mighty gods of Israel were coming. The enemies of God’s people were panicked and full of fear.

Does anyone fear a Christian today? Does anyone have respect for a Christian today? Is this a reflection on Christians or on the Lord Jehovah? How far have we gone?